Mountain gorillas in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are seeing their population grow, but their forest habitat is not expanding. Communities near the park have planted trees nearby for medicine, firewood, and crafts to ease pressure on gorilla habitats. The idea is to provide resources outside the park so residents don't cut trees inside. The forest is home to about 450 mountain gorillas, nearly half the world’s population. The Uganda Wildlife Authority distributes seedlings to help. Tourism supports conservation efforts, with visitors generating jobs and revenue. The project was highlighted around World Gorilla Day on September 24.

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FILE - Two one-year old baby mountain gorillas swing from branches as they play together in the forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda Saturday, April 3, 2021. (AP Photo, File)